In the co-main event, New Zealand’s Israel Adesanya will take on mixed martial arts legend Anderson Silva.

Silva is the most successful middleweight of all time having defended the title a record of 10 times between 2007-2012. Silva also holds the record for most successive victories in UFC history with 16 wins.

While many consider Silva to be the greatest fighter of all time, he has only won one fight in his last six and is forty-three years old.

Adesanya burst into the UFC in Perth last year and went on to win 4 fights in 2018.

Undefeated in 15 fights, Adesanya won Breakthrough Fighter of the Year with several media outlets and has been touted to challenge for the UFC middleweight title should he defeat Silva in February.

In other bouts featuring locals, Jimmy Crute will make his second UFC appearance against Ryan Spann and Nadia Kassem will return after a year hiatus against Montana De La Rosa. Kassem’s Australian Top Team teammate Alex Gorgees is also expected to feature on the card.

Kai Kara-France and Shane Young will bolster the Kiwi contingent as they both look to continue the momentum of Auckland’s City Kickboxing into 2019.

In total, ten fights have been announced for the card which takes place at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on February 10 (AEST).

While more fights are expected to be announced, the official bout order has not yet been confirmed.

Finalised Fight Card:

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view)

Champ Robert Whittaker vs. Kelvin Gastelum – for the middleweight title

My earliest combat sports memory is watching David Tua knock people out with his left hook. I am extremely passionate about combat sports in Australia and my home country of New Zealand and I endeavour to grow the profile of martial arts and its athletes in both countries. Persistent Brazilian jiu-jitsu battler.